(WXYZ) — COVID-19 has affected tens of thousands of Michiganders and claimed the lives of thousands. Many have recovered from this deadly virus, but it hasn’t been easy, and for some it’s been life changing.
Lynus Parker loves golfing, fishing and was active in his local theater. That all changed when he was infected with coronavirus, and his life, the way he knew it, was altered.
“This is candidly your best chance at survival," Lynus said. "I knew there was a chance I might never come off of that thing."
Words Lynus says he never wanted to hear after testing positive for COVID-19.
“I started to pray and then I came to some peace and I called my wife, had a quick dialogue with the doctor and said if this is God's will for me, I want to live. I’ve got a lot to live For,” he said.
Lynus was infected with the coronavirus on April 1. He was in the hospital for three months, with one month on a ventilator. His voice is now raspy from that ventilator. His vocal cords are paralyzed. He was alone in the hospital because family wasn’t allowed to visit. It was a dark and scary time for a man who was once larger than life.
“COVID-19 is indiscriminate," Lynus said. "Doesn’t matter if you’re in good shape. It doesn’t matter, it’s random."
It wasn’t just Lynus fighting the coronavirus, it took a toll on the entire family, especially his wife Kirsten.
“Not having contact. Not being able to be there, not only for him to hold his hand and reassure him,” she said.
Kirsten says it was difficult knowing Lynus was battling a deadly virus alone, but knew he was in good hands. She says she’s thankful he’s alive.
“I tried to be strong support system for the people that couldn’t be here, but of course I had my moments, I mean you don’t know,” Kirsten said.
Lynus lost 50 pounds while in the hospital. He knows he has a long road ahead, but is grateful and thankful for what he has, and not what he doesn’t.
“Everyday I wake up and I will struggle and I pray and thank God for what I have because it’s really really easy to think about what I lost, what I don’t have, but I think that’s a trap and I’m going to fall into that," he said. "I’m going to celebrate everything."
Lynus says he’s thankful for so many things but more importantly his wife and the hundreds of people who supported and prayed for him during his battle.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
Visit our The Rebound Detroit, a place where we are working to help people impacted financially from the coronavirus. We have all the information on everything available to help you through this crisis and how to access it.